Multielement electric toy



Aug. 12, 1969 ARNQW 3,460,287

MULTIELEMENT ELECTRIC TOY Filed Oct. 21, 1965 2 Sheets-Shee t 1 i [13A 12A CONTROLLED SOURCE OF 1 I W ELECTRICAL /12B ENERGY g 13c INVENTOR.

Lewis Arnow ATTORNEY Aug. 12, 1969 L. ARNOW 3,460,287

MULTIELEMENT ELECTRIC TOY Filed Oct. 21, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 MOTOR nite te tnt 3,460,287 NIULTIELEMENT ELECTRIC TOY Lewis Aruow, 33 Bull St, Newport, RI. 02840 Filed Oct. 21, 1965, Sex. No. 49,673 Int. Cl. A63h 33/26 US. Cl. 46-244 7 Claims ABTRACT OF THE DISCLGSURE An electric toy movable over an electrified model track; the toy including at least two electric motor driven model vehicles and the track being electrified by power sources having controllable variable current and voltage characteristics. The model vehicles have contacts for slidably contacting the track for passing power to the electric motors, with one of the motors being responsive only to the magnitude of the current and the other motor being responsive only to the amplitude of the voltage.

Model vehicles which are driven over toy tracks have become so popular within the last few years that they threaten to displace electric trains in popularity. However, most presently available road racing toys are basically extensions of the conventional electric train concept. In particular, the model cars are constrained by virtue of slots and guides to a one dimensional or linear path. Therefore, to simulate a race between two cars it is necessary to provide a parallel pair of slots or guides. It is obvious that such a toy has limited realism since each car is restricted to a given path and the only option left to the contestant is to regulate the speed of travel of the vehicles in their restricted paths.

The one dimensional limitation has been recognized in some rare instances and in fact, a two degree of freedom control of the model vehicle has been shown and described in my copending application.

Such two degree of freedom control has created the demand for the two dimensional control of at least a pair of vehicles to provide more realism in the simulation of a road race.

It is, therefore, a general object of the invention to provide a more realistic toy which includes at least a pair of model vehicles which are separately controllable on a two dimensional surface.

It is another object of the invention to provide a toy which is the simulation of a two dimensional track with a pair of vehicles whose speed is separately controllable by a pair of contestants.

It is a more specific object of the invention to provide a realistic toy comprising a pair of electrically operated vehicles and an electrically energized track which, on the one hand, permits complete freedom of movement of the vehicles over the track and, on the other hand, does not require any complex control circuitry to independently control the movement of the vehicles on the track.

Briefly, the invention contemplates a toy which includes a surface member of electrically conductive material. Connected to the surface member is at least one controllable source of electrical energy. The electrical energy has at least two characteristics, such as voltage amplitude and current amplitude, although other characteristics can equally be used. Means are provided in the source for varying one of the characteristics and further til ice means are provided for varying the other of the characteristics. There are at least two movable objects for positioning on the surface member. Each of the movable objects includes contacting means for electrically contacting the surface member. One of the movable objects includes an electrically operable means connected to the contacting means and responsive to one of the characteristics of the electrical energy for performing a function. The other of the movable objects includes electrically operable means connected to the contacting means and is responsive to the other characteristic of the electrical energy for performing a function.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description when read together with the accompanying drawing which shows, by Way of example and not limitation, the now preferred embodiment of the invention.

In the drawing:

FIGURE 1 shows a partial plan View of a track in accordance with the invention and includes a pair of model vehicles for movement over the track and a controlled source of electrical energy for controlling the movement of the vehicles over the track;

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view of a portion of the track taken along the line 22 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged bottom view of a model vehicle for use with the track of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a schematic diagram of the electrical circuitry included in one of the model vehicles;

FIGURE 5 is a schematic view of the electrical circuitry of the other of the model vehicles;

FIGURE 6 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the controlled source of electrical energy utilizing alternating current; and

FIGURE 7 is a schematic diagram of an alternate embodiment of the controlled source of electrical energy utilizing direct current.

Referring now to FIGURES 1 and 2, a track is shown comprising a plurality of laminae 12 of electrically conductive material. Adjacent pairs of laminae, such as 12B and are electrically insulated from each other. Electrically insulative elements, 13A, 13B, 13C, etc., are interposed between the laminae 12, although narrow air gaps can equally well provide the required insulation. In a working embodiment the track comprises a sheet of cardboard C with a sheet of aluminum foil secured to the upper face thereof. The foil is die cut in the pattern indicated in FIGURE 1. In any event, the actual construction of the track, other than the fact that there is a plurality of conductive laminae with adjacent laminae insulated from each other is not important. The only important factor is that the width of each lamina be the same and equal to the same and equal to the distance D which is related to the contact geometry of the vehicle as will hereinafter become apparent.

In order to electrify the track 10 there is provided a controlled source of electrical energy 20. The source has instantaneous oppositely polarized outputs which are connected via the lines 25 and 26 to the track 10. The lines are respectively connected to alternate laminae 12. In the shown embodiment, one line is connected to laminae 12A and the other line is connected to lamina 12B. By virtue of the die cut configuration of the metal foil alternate parallel laminae thereof are connected to the same line. Note, for example, the bridging portion 12BD connecting laminae 12B and 12D and the bridging portion 12DF connecting laminae 12D and 12F. The controlled source of electrical energy 20 includes a first control means 22 comprising push buttons 22A and 22B for controlling one of the vehicles on the track, and a second control element 24 including push buttons 24A and 24B for controlling the other vehicle on the track.

At least two vehicles are positioned on the track. Such vehicles are generally designed at 30, 31 in FIGURE 1. Since these vehicles are mechanically identical and only different in their electric circuit configuration only one of the vehicles will be completely described.

In FIGURE 3, there is shown a bottom view of a model vehicle 30. Vehicle 30 includes a body 32 which can take any conventional shape such as a racing car, a hot rod, a dragster, etc. Fixed to body 32 is a rear wheel assembly comprising wheels 34 and 36, an axle 38. Axle 38 is mounted on body 32 in any known manner, and wheels 34 and 36 are freely rotatable on axle 38. Pivotally mounted on body 32, by means of pivot member 40, is a cross member 42. Cross member 4'2 extends transversely across body 32 with the axis of the cross member making a varying angle with the longitudinal axis of the body. An axle 44 is connected to cross member 42 and supports a first front wheel 46 which is freely rotatable. A second axle 48 mounted to the cross member connects the second front wheel 50 to a reduction gearing 52. The axes of axles 44 and 48 are colinear. The input of gearing 52 is connected to the shaft 54 of motor 56.

Motor 56 operates at a relatively low voltage and has a relatively low internal impedance or relatively high current drain. For example, motor 56 may operate maximally on a 6 volt input and a 2 ampere input. Motor 56 receives its electrical energy from electrical circuit 58 via leads 60 and 62.

In order to supply electrical energy to electric circuit 58, three contacts '64, 66 and 68 are provided. These contacts are connected to electrical circuit 58 respectively via the leads 65, 67 and 69. The points of the contacts lie in a plane which coincides with the plane of track when vehicle 30 is placed thereon. Whatever number of contacts may be used, the contact points are placed at the apices of an equilateral polygon, or preferably an equilateral triangle. The altitude D' of the polygon is substantially equal to the width D of the laminae 12 (FIG. 1). It should be carefully noted that with this geometrical configuration, one of the contact points is as a practical matter, in contact with a lamina different from that of the other two contact points. The only possible chance of undesirable orientation of the contacts is when all three contacts lie opposite gaps. However, this situation will be only momentary, provided that no side of the polygon is parallel to the longitudinal axis of body 32 and the gaps are small.

Assuming for the time being, that track 10 is receiving electrical energy via lines 25 and 26, and that such electrical energy has a voltage of approximately 8 volts and a current of approximately 3 amperes at 60 cycles/ second, the electrical circuit will be described with respect to FIGURE 4. One of the contacts, say contact 64, is directly connected via leads 65 and 62 to one input terminal of motor 56. The other two contacts 66 and 68 are respectively connected via diodes 72 and 74 and lead 60 to the other input terminal of motor 56. Diodes 72 and 74 are polarized in the same direction. For example, as shown, the anodes of these diodes are connected to lead 60.

Now by virtue of the geometry of the contacts with respect to the laminae, two situations can occur. First, contacts 64 and 68 will receive opposite polarity electrical energy and contacts 66 will receive electrical energy of the same polarity as either one of the contacts 64 or 68. Second contacts 64 and 68 will receive the same polarity electrical energy and contact 66 will receive the opposite polarity electrical energy. In either case, halfwave or pulsst g e t u re t w l flow thro gh ma er 6 regardless of the orientation of vehicle 30 on the track 10. The pulsating direct current is continuously fed to motor 56 to provide smooth uniform performance thereof. The current is of approximately 3 amperes at 8 volts, or 24 watts, flowing for only a half of the cycle or the equivalent per second energy flow of 6 volts and 2 amperes flowing for the full wave. This amount operates motor 56 maximally without overheating. Of course the movement of the motor can be varied by reducing the current flow.

FIGURE 5 shows the electric circuit 58' and motor 56 of the model vehicle 31. Motor 56 is a DC. motor which operates maximally on a relatively high voltage, i.e., approximately 24 volts and a relatively low current, i.e., approximately /2 ampere. It has a high internal impedance. The electric circuit 58 is actually a full-wave rectifier which connects the contacts 64, 66 and 68 to the motor 56'.

More particularly, contact 64 is connected via lead 65 and diode 7 (l to lead 60 and via diode 71 to lead 62. Contact 66 is connected via lead 67 and diode 72 to lead 60, and via diode 73 to lead 62. Contact 68 is connected via lead 69 and diode 74 to lead 60 and via diode 75 to lead 62. Furthermore, the anodes of diodes 71, 73 and 75 are connected to lead 62, and the cathodes of diodes 70, 72 and 74 are connected to lead 60. Therefore, regardless of the position of model vehicle 31 on track 10 electrical energy will always flow from lead 60 through motor 56 to lead 62.

FIGURE 6 shows one embodiment of controlled source of electrical energy 20 comprising a transformer 76 having a primary winding connected to a source of alternating current S and a multitapped secondary winding. One leg 77 of the secondary winding is connected directly to lead 26. Tap 78 is connected via switch 22C to junction 79. Switch 22C is ganged with switches 22A and 223 so that, though normally closed, 22C is opened whenever either 22A or 22B is closed. Tap 80 is connected via resistor 81 and single-pole spring-return normally-open switch 22B to junction 79. The other leg 82 is connected via resistor 84 and single-pole spring-return normally-open switch 22A to junction 79. Junction 79 is connected: via single-pole normally-open spring-return switch 24B to line 25; via the tapped resistor 86 to lead 25 and via single-pole normally-open spring-return switch 24A and a portion of resistor 86 to lead 25.

For the example given, and assuming leg 77 as reference tap 78 has an 8 volt peak, tap 80 has an approximately 28 volt peak, and leg 82 has approximately a 40 volt peak. Switches 22 control the amplitude of the voltage at junction 79 subject to a minimum 8 volt amplitude by virtue of its connection via switch 22C to tap 78. Resistors 81 and 84 are used to increase the internal impedance of the voltage sources represented by tap 80 and leg 82. In effect then, the circuitry including tap 80, tap 78, leg 82, resistors 81 and 84 and switches 22A and 22B and 220 is a variable high-voltage source with a variable internal impedance, wherein the current may be no more than approximately 3 amperes and the current flow is very little influenced by the voltage selection. Switches 24 control the magnitude of this current fed from junction 79 to lead 25. Resistor 86 acts as a current amplitude controlling resistor. In efiect, switches 24 and resistor 86 fed from junction 79 can be considered a variable current source with control of current ranging approximately /8 to 3 amperes.

A DC. supplied source of electrical energy 20 is shown in FIGURE 7 which comprises a relatively low-voltage, high-current, low internal impedance source 88 and a relatively high-voltage, low-current, high-internal impedance source 98. Source 88 and source 90 are connected in parallel across leads 92 and 94.

Source 88 com-prises a high-current, low-voltage battery 96 connected to the anode of diode 98. The cathode of 98 is connected via current limiting tapped resistor 100, to lead 94, via switch 24A and part of resistor 100 to lead.

94, and via switch 24B directly to lead 94. Thus, for the example, source 88 develops approximately 8 volts across leads 92 and 94 with a current determined by switches 24A and 24B. With both switches open the current drops below a value which is sufficient to operate vehicle 30.

Source 90 comprises relatively high voltage battery 102 connected by high resistance resistor 104 to junction 106. Junction 106 is connected by voltage dropping tapped resistor 108 to lead 94, by switch 22B and part of resistor 108 to lead 94, and by switch 22A directly to lead 94. Thus, for the example, source 90 can develop approximately 40 volts and ampere when switch 22A is closed. If both switches are open when current flows, the high impedance drops the terminal voltage too low to power vehicle 31.

Leads 92 and 94 are connected to a first pair of fixed contacts and also to a reversing pair of fixed contacts of double-pole double-throw switch 110. The moving contacts of switch 110 are connected to leads 25 and 26, respectively. The moving contacts are ganged and driven by vibrator V. Thus, effectively alternating electrical energy is fed to leads 25 and 26.

The operation of the toy will now be described. It will be recalled that the DO motor 56 of vehicle 30 required approximately 6 volts and 2 amperes to operate maximally. However, because the electrical network 58 is, in essence, a half-wave rectifier, it is necessary to supply approximately 8 volts and 3 amperes to the track to operate the motor maximally. DC motor 56 of vehicle 31 requires approximately 24 volts and /2 ampere to operate maximally. However, as will become apparent, motor 56 is only fed half-wave energy. Therefore, it is necessary to supply at approximately 40 volts and /8 amperes to track 10 to operate this motor maximally. It will also be recalled that motor 56 has a low internal impedance or high current drain and motor 56 a high internal impedance and low current drain. It should also be noted that motor 56 is only fed half-wave electrical energy by circuit 58, but motor 56' is capable of receiving full-wave energy from circuit 58'.

Therefore, during the half-cycle when circuit 58 connects motor 56 to track 10, motor 56, by virtue of its high current drain, drops any high voltage from the highvoltage low-current high internal impedance source to a terminal voltage value such that motor 56 is incapable of operating. Motor 56 will operate, however, if the lowvoltage source supplies approximately 2-3 amperes and the speed of rotation of motor 56 will depend on the amplitude of this current supplied by the current source. During the next half cycle circuit 58 disconnects motor 56 from track 10 and motor 58' can be driven by the highvoltage low-current high internal impedance source. The speed of operation of motor 58' will depend on the amplitude of the voltage from this source.

While the invention has been described utilizing the characteristics of voltage and current to independently control movable objects on a common conductive surface, other characteristics such as frequency, timed impulses, etc. can be utilized.

What is claimed is:

1. An electric toy comprising: a surface member of electrically conductive material having at least two mutually insulated portions; a source of electrical energy including at least one voltage component and at least one component, said source including means for varying the magnitude of the voltage component and means for varying the magnitude of the current component; and at least two movable objects for positioning on said surface member, each of said movable objects including contacting means for electrically contacting said surface member, one of said movable objects including electrically operable means connected to said contacting means and responsive to the voltage component of the electrical energy for performing a function, and the other of said movable objects including electrically operable means connected to said contacting means and responsive to the current component of the electrical energy for performing a function.

2. An electric toy comprising: a surface member of electrically conductive material; a source of electrical energy including at least one voltage component and at least one current component, said source including means for only varying the magnitude of the voltage component and means for only varying the magnitude of the current component; and at least two movable objects movable over said surface member, each of said movable objects including contacting means for electrically contacting said surface member, one of said movable objects including electrical motor means connected to said contacting means and responsive to the voltage component of the electrical energy for driving said one movable object over said surface member, and the other of said movable objects including electrical motor means connected to said contacting means and responsive to the current component of the electrical energy for driving said other movable object over said surface member.

3. An electric toy comprising: a surface member of electrically conductive material having at least two mutually insulated portions, a controllable source of electrical energy including first means for transmitting electrical energy having an alternating voltage component with an amplitude at least greater than a first given amplitude and an alternating current component with an amplitude less than a second given amplitude and second means for transmitting electrical energy having an alternating voltage component with an amplitude no greater than said first given amplitude and an alternating curret component having an amplitude at least greater than said second given amplitude; means for connecting said source of electrical energy to said surface member; a first movable object for positioning on said surface member, said first movable object including contacting means for electrically contacting said surface member, and further including electrically operable means connected to said contacting means and responsive only to electrical energy having a voltage component with an amplitude greater than said first given amplitude for performing a function; and a second movable object for positioning on said surface member, said second movable object including contacting means for electrically contacting said surface member, and further including electrically operable means connected to said contacting means and unidirectionally responsive to electrical energy having a current compo nent with an amplitude greater than said second given amplitude for performing a function.

4. The toy of claim 3 wherein the electrically operable means of said first and second movable objects include electrical motors for driving the movable objects over the surface member.

5. The toy of claim 4 wherein the first means of said source of electrical energy includes means for varying the amplitude of said voltage component to vary the operation of the electrical motor of said first movable object, and wherein the second means of said source of electrical energy includes means for varying the amplitude of said current component to vary the operation of the electrical motor of said second movable object.

6. The toy of claim 3 wherein the first means of said source of electrical energy has a source impedance greater than the source impedance of the second means of said source of electrical energy, and the electrically operable means of said first movable object has an internal impedance which is greater than the internal impedance of the electrically operable means of said second movable object.

7. The toy of claim 6 wherein: the contacting means of said first movable object comprises at least first and second contacts for respectively contacting a different portion of the surface member, the electrically operable means of said first movable object being a direct current motor having first and second input terminals, means directly connecting said first input terminal to said first contact, and unidirectional conducting means connecting said second input terminal to said second contact; and wherein the contacting means of said second movable object comprising at least first and second contacts for respectively contacting difierent portions of the surface member, the electrically operable means of said second movable object being a direct current motor having first and second input terminals, first unidirectional conducting means conductive in a first direction connecting said first contact to said first input terminal, second unidirectional conducting means conductive in a second direction connecting said first contact to said second input terminal, third unidirectional conducting means conductive in said first direction connecting said second contact to said first input terminal, and fourth unidirectional conducing means conductive in said second direction connecting said second contact to said second input terminal.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,239,963 3/1966 Smith et al. 46244 ROBERT PESHOCK, Primary Examiner ROBERT F. CUTTING, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 104149 

